FEATURE

MBA: There has been an observation among some analysts, which is a bone of contention, that virtual events will replace the traditional ‘in-person’ format in the near future. What is your take on this? What do you think makes ‘in-person’ relevant for events of the Mining Indaba scale now and for a long time?

SF: One of the key disadvantages of virtual events is the lack of in-person interaction. For almost two decades now, the Mining Indaba has brought the mining community face-to-face. We know the industry thrives on being together, making connections and sharing information. That is not easy to replicate in a virtual environment.

In 2021 we ran Mining Indaba as a two-day, content-led event, which was a huge success under the circumstances. We secured over 6,000 registrations from around the world and had three African heads of state give keynote addresses. In addition, we also ran our Mining Indaba Virtual Investment Programme in March 2021, allowing mining companies the opportunity to meet with global investors and continue to drive investment into African mining. There is no replacement for live events though and in May 2022 Investing in African Mining Indaba returned as an in-person event after two years and welcomed a record-breaking 6 570 attendees to the CTICC, in Cape Town, South Africa.

We are delighted to be returning to Cape Town in 2023 as a purely in-person event in its original February spot in the calendar from 6-9 February.

MBA: What opportunities or developments in mining do you see sustaining the hosting of events like Investing in Mining Indaba in the coming years?

SF: One of the most immediate benefits of hosting international events like the Mining Indaba is the impact it has on the local economy. It is often difficult to fully appreciate the economic impact of any major event so after the Mining Indaba in 2020 we worked with a South African research body, Stratecon, to conduct an in-depth report on the economic benefits of hosting the event in South Africa.

We found that Mining Indaba increased GDP in South Africa by R177m of which 80% was from international sources. We created 274 new jobs in South Africa, 233 of which were in the Western Cape and we helped increase national taxes by R22m, R18m of which was from international sources. So, the direct impact is certainly significant, and we are committed to increasing that further over the coming years by growing our events.

MBA: Last but certainly not least, what is your message to the delegates who will be attending The 2023 Investing in Mining Indaba as well as mining industry stakeholders?

SF: As the name suggests, Investing in African Mining Indaba has a core strategic remit focusing on bringing investment opportunities into the African continent. The conference provides a platform for mining majors, mid-tiers and juniors to discuss key industry issues. Mining Indaba also creates opportunities for exploration companies to network and engage with important investment stakeholders and government all under one roof.